Hydraulic set packer



May 2, 1961 C. C. BROWN HYDRAULIC SET PACKER (ONE WAY SEAL) Filed Sept. 21, 1956 M kk 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 C/cero INVENTOR.

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ATTORNEYS May 2, 1961 Filed Sept. '21, 1956 C. C. BROWN HYDRAULIC SET PACKER (ONE WAY SEAL) 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 6766/0 C. 5/0 wn NVENTOR.

gab fif iiam ATTORNEYS United States Patent I 2,982,358 HYDRAULIC SET PACKER (VON-E WAY SEAL) Cicero C. Brown, 2216 Campbell Houston 26, Tex. Filed Sept. 21, 1956, Ser. No. 611,147

12 Claims. or. 166-120) This invention relates to new and useful in well packer apparatus.

One object of the invention is to provide a well packer apparatus which is adapted to be moved to a set position by' the application of a hydraulic or fluid pressure; said fluid pressure being conducted to the apparatus through the pipe or other support on which said device is lowered.

An important-object is to provide an improved well packer apparatus having a pressure chamber therein which is disposed so that the pressure in said chamber acts in a direction to set the packer, together with means for retaining the pressure against escape from the chamber whereby after the apparatus is set, it cannot be unintentionally released.

A further object is to provide a well packer apparatus, of the character described, wherein an actuating pressure may be introduced into a pressure chamber to actuate the slips and packing element of the apparatus but said pressure cannot escape from the chamber through the point of entry whereby the pressure is effectively trapped to maintain the apparatus in set position; said apparatus including means operable by manipulation of the lowering pipe, for selectively releasing the pressure from the chamber when it is desired to remove the packer appa- Iatus. j

Still another object is to provide an apparatus, of the character described, having a pressure chamber provided with a one way entry, that is, fluid pressure may be introduced into the chamber but cannot escape therefrom through the point of entry; the apparatus having a improvements tubular conductor extending therethrough and capable of longitudinal movement with respect thereto, with a relief port in said conductor which, upon proper positioning, allows a release of pressure from said chamber.

The construction designed to carry out the invention will be hereinafter described, together with other features thereof.

, The invention will be more readily understood'from a reading of the following specification and by reference to the accompanying drawings forming a part thereof, wherein an example of'the invention is shown, and wherein:

, Figure 1 is a view ofa well packer apparatus, constructed in accordance with the invention and illustrating the parts thereof in the position which said parts assume when the device is being lowered within a well bore,

Figure 2 is a view partly in section and partly in elevation of the lower portion of the apparatus and illustrating the slips and packing element in its set position,

Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 1 and illustrating the parts in the position during the releasing of the apparatus from its set position,

Figure 4 is a horizontal cross-sectional view, taken on the line 4-4 of Figure 1, and

Figure 5 is a. horizontal cross-sectional view, taken on the line 5-5 of Figure 1.

tubular mandrel or conductor which extends entirely through the apparatus and which forms a support. The upper end of the mandrel or conductor has a threaded connection with a coupling collar 11 which collar is,

5 in turn, coupled to the well pipe or tubing string 12.v The of the sleeve '15 and said cylinder is spaced from the 'a In the drawings, the numeral 10 designates an elongate externalsurface of the mandrel or conductor whereby an annular space S as best shown in Figure 3 is formed between these parts. The sleeve 15 has suitable packing elements v18 sealing with the exterior of the mandrel and the internal wall of the cylinder and functions to close the lower end of the space S. Supported upon the upper surface of the sleeve 15 and confined between said sleeve and an internal shoulder 19 within the bore of the cylinder '17 are a pair of sealing rings 20 and 21. Each sealing ring is, annular and is generally triangular in cross-section to provide an upper sealing lip 22. The lower portion of each sealing ring is moulded to a suitable metal support ring 23 and said support rings have their outer peripheries in sealing engagement with the bore of the cylinder 17. The rings are spaced from each other by spacer collar 23a and the assembly formed by said rings and collar is confined between the upper end of the sleeve member 15 and an internal shoulder 19 formed within the cylinder. When pressure is applied between the exterior of the mandrel or conductor 10 and the bore of the sealing rings. 20 and 21 such pressure will move the sealing rings outwardly so long as the pressure is from below said rings; this will permit the pressure to bypass the rings 20 and 21 in an upward direction and enter the space S between the mandrel and the cylinder. However, if pressure attempts to pass downwardly with respect to the sealing rings 20 and 21, the sealing lips 22 of said rings will be urged into tighter engagement with the exterior of the mandrel or conductor and no pressure can escape downwardly past said rings. The rings thus form a one-way entry into the space S and after pressure fluid has entered the space S, it can not escape downwardly past the rings.

The upper end of the cylinder 17 is closed by an annular piston 24 which is slidable along the bore of the cylinder and also along the external surface of the mandrel or conductor. Suitable packing rings 25 are mounted on the piston and effectively seal between the piston and the walls of said cylinder and said mandrel. Rotative movement of the piston'24 is prevented by suitable pins 26 which extend through the wall of the cylinder and which have their inner ends riding within grooves 27 formed in the external wall of the piston above the packing rings 25.

The upper end of the piston 24 is formed with an en-.

largement 28 and the inner surface of said enlargement is suitably grooved at 29 to receive the downward extensions 30 of slip members 31. The slip members are provided with external teeth 32 and are retained against outward displacement with respect to the'mandrel or conductor 10 by an annular coiled spring 33.

The conductor or mandrel 10 is formed with an external shoulder 34 and a slip expander or cone 35 is normally supported upon this shoulder, as illustrated in Figures '1 and 3. Above the cone 35 is an elastic or resilient packing element or sleeve 36 and the upper end of said sleeve is engaged by the lower end of an enlarged collar l la. The coupling 11 is located abovethe collar and an annular bearing ring 43, the purpose of which will here- Paten ted May 2, 1961 v inafter appear, is disposed between the collar and said coupling. The inherent resiliency of the packing element or sleeve 36 normally maintains the same in the position in Figure 1 which is a retracted position with the external surface of said element or sleeve spaced from the inner wall of the well casing or pipe 37 within which the apparatus is lowered.

The mandrel or conductor is formed with a radial port 38 which is located in the mandrel at a point just above the coarse threads 16. With the parts as shown in Figure l the port 38 communicates with the space immediately below the sealing ring 21 and in such position, it will be evident that pressure fluid pumped downwardly through the tubing 12 will enter the mandrel or conductor 19 and will of course communicate with the port 38. So long as the mandrel or conductor is open at its lower end, substantially little pressure fluid will enter the opening 38.

When it is desired to set the packer, a closure tool generally designated at A in Figure 2 is lowered downwardly through the tubing and through the mandrel until it engages the seat 14 in the seating-collar 13. The closure tool includes a collar 39 at its lower end which is adapted to engage the seat 14 and also is provided with annular sealing cups 40 and '41 which seal with the bore of the mandrel or conductor. The tool A may be formed with a suitable fishing neck 42 whereby it may be lowered into position or removed therefrom by means of a wireline or cable. When the closure element or plug A is in position as shown in Figure 2, the application of a pressure to the bore of the conductor will cause the pressure fluid to flow through the radial port 38, upwardly past the sealing rings 20 and 21 and into the space S within the cylinder 17 below piston 24. The pressure Within the space S will act upon the lower end of the piston and will urge the same upwardly, whereby the slips 31 which are carried by the upper end of the piston 24 are moved upwardly with respect to the mandrel. It is pointed out that the application of pressure to the slips 31 will first I be applied to the inclined surface of the cone 35 and through the cone this pressure will be applied against the lower end of the elastic packing element 36. With the well tubing 12 stationary the coupling 11 at the upper end of the packing element is also stationary and this will result in the packing element 36 being expanded into sealing position with the wall of the well pipe 37; thereafter the slips 31 move into tight engagement with the wall of the pipe 37 and prevent any downward displacement of the well packer apparatus.

As has been noted the seal rings 20 and 21 permit pressure fluid to flow upwardly past the rings but prevent a downward flow of pressure fluid thereby. Thus after pressure has been built up in the cylinder or space S below the piston 24, this pressure is trapped and there is no way in which the slips 31 can move downwardly. Thus so long as the pressure is maintained within the area S in the cylinder 17 the slips and packing element are maintained in their set position.

Since the pressure is trapped within space S, it is possible to remove the closure element A and relieve the pressure within the bore of the tubing string 12 and the bore of the conductor or mandrel :10. Even though the pressure within the tubing string is relieved the slips and packing element 36 will remain in a set position because the trapped pressure in the space S inside of the cylinder 17 is holding the piston 24 in its raised position, as shown in Figure 2.

When it is desired to release the apparatus, it is only necessary to impart a left-hand rotation to the tubing 12 and the mandrel or conductor 10. Such left-hand rotation will result in a breaking out of the coarse threads 16 whereby the conductor is separated from the sleeve 15. Since the sleeve 15 has connection with the cylinder 17, this operation disconnects the mandrel for separate movement with respect to the cylinder. It is noted that the bearing ring 43 disposed between the coupling 11 and the 4 enlarged collar 11a facilitates the rotation of the string with respect to the set packer 36.

After the threads 16 have been disconnected, the tubing string 12 and mandrel 10 are raised upwardly so that the radial port 38 is disposed just above the upper sealing ring 20; this places the port 38 in communication with the space S within the cylinder '17 and allows the pressure within this space to escape. As soon as this occurs a continued upward movement of the string 12 and mandrel 10 will cause the shoulder 34 on the mandrel to engage the expander or cone 35 and lift the same upwardly out of the slips 31. At the same time the pressure being applied to the packing element 36 is relieved and said packer returns to its normal undistorted position. A continued raising of the string and mandrel causes the seating collar 13 at the lower end of the mandrel to engage the lower end of sleeve 15 and the entire apparatus may be removed from the well pipe 37.

From the foregoing it will be seen that a very simple and eflicient type of well packer apparatus is provided. The apparatus employs a pressure chamber having the seal rings 20 and 21 which form a one-way entry into said chamber. Thus pressure fluid which is required to set the slips and the packer may be introduced into the chamber and thereafter the pressure is trapped or held within this chamber until it is desired to remove the apparatus. By preventing the escape of pressure fluid from the chamber S, it is possible to open the bore of the mandrel and the tubing string to any other pressure and it is not necessary that the pressure required to hold the slips in their set position be constantly maintained within the bore of the mandrel. Thus any desired operation may be carried out through the tubing while the pressure in space S maintains the packer in its set position. Whenever it is desired to remove the apparatus, it is only necessary to rotate the tubing a sutficient amount to uncouple the mandrel 10 from the sleeve 15 at the threads 16 and thereafter move the radial port 38 upwardly so that it communicates with the space S, thereby permitting a relief or escape of the pressure from this space. Although it has been found that the annular lip-type seals 21 provide a very eflicient oneway entry into the space S, it is of course obvious that other means could be employed; for example, a one-way check valve could be mounted in the lower portion of the cylinder just above the sleeve 15. So long as the pressure in the chamber S is trapped and is not dependent upon the same pressure being present in the tubing string, the advantages of the invention are accomplished.

The foregoing disclosure and description of the invention is illustrative and explanatory thereof and various changes in the size, shape and materials, as well as in the details of the illustrated constructiommay be made within the scope of the appended claims without departing from the spirit of the invention.

What I claim is:

1. A well packer apparatus including, a tubular mandrel, an elastic packing element on said mandrel, expander means carried by the mandrel, normally retracted gripping slips cooperable with said expander means for anchoring said packer to a well casing, a cylinder mounted on the mandrel, a piston within the cylinder, means for connecting the piston to the gripping slips to impart movement to the gripping slips to move the same relative to the expander means into set position when pressure is introduced into the cylinder against the piston, means for establishing communication between the bore of the mandrel and the interior of the cylinder whereby pressure fluid may be introduced into said cylinder, means releasably connecting said mandrel and said cylinder, and means within the cylinder adjacent the point of fluid entry of the fluid into the cylinder for allowing entry of fluid into the cylinder while preventing escape of said fluid from said cylinder.

2. A well packer apparatus including, a, tubular conaeeasse ductor, a packing element on the upper portion of the conductor, a slip assembly mounted on the conductor be low the packing element and including an expander means carried by the conductor'and radially expansible gripping slips cooperable withfsaid expander means for anchoring the packer within a well casing, a cylinder below the slip assembly surrounding the conductor and detachably secured to the conductor against slidable movement thereon, a piston slidable within the cylinder, means connecting the piston to the gripping slips whereby upward movement of the piston moves the slips relative to the expander means and causes radial expansion thereof into gripping position, said conductor having a port therein which when the conductor and cylinder are connected is in communication with the lower end of the cylinder, whereby pressure fluid from the bore of the conductor may be applied to the piston 'to move the same upwardly, means releasably connecting said mandrel and said cylinder, and means in the lower portion of the cylinder above said port for permitting upward flow therepast while sealing the cylinder against escape of pressure fluid therefrom in a downward direction.

3. A wellpacker apparatus including, a tubular condxuctor, a packing elementon the upper portion of the condoctor, a slip assembly mounted on the conductor below the packing element and including an expander means carried by the conductor and radially expansible gripping slips cooperable with saidexpander means for anchoring the packer within a well casing, a cylinder below the slip assembly surrounding the conductor and detachably secured to the conductor against slidable movement thereon, a piston slidable within the cylinder, means connecting the piston to the gripping slips whereby upward movement of the piston moves the slips relative to the expander means and causes radial expansion thereof into gripping position, said conductor having a port therein which when the conductor and'cylinder are connected is in communication with the lower end of the cylinder, whereby pressure fluid from the bore of the conductor may be applied to piston to move the same upwardly, and means in the lower portion of the cylinder above said port for permitting upward flow therepa-st while sealing the cylinder against escape of pressure fluid therefrom in a downward direction, means for detaching the conductor fromthe cylinder to permit the conductor to be moved upwardly relative to the cylinder to locate the port in said conductor above the sealing'means, whereby pressure fluid may escape from the cylinder when the conductor is moved to such upper position.

4. A well packer apparatus as set forth in claim 2, wherein the sealing means in the lower portion of the cylinder is a seal ring having an upwardly directed sealing lip which is engaged with the outer surface of the conductor, said sealing lip being flexed in a direction outwardly from said outer surface of the conductor when subjected to pressure in an upward direction and being urged into tight sealing engagement with saidouter surface of the conductor when subjected to pressure in a downward direction.

5. A well packer apparatus as set forth in claim 3, wherein the sealing means in the lower portion of the cylinder is a seal ring having an rupwardly directed sealing lip which engages the outer surface of the conductor, said sealing lip being flexed in a direction outwardly from said outer surface of the conductor when subjected to pressure in an upward direction and being urged into tight r 6 inder surrounding the support and a piston within the cylinder, said piston and cylinder being movable relative to each other, the cylinder and piston being connected one to the gripping slips and the other to the support whereby when the piston and cylinder are moved relative to each other the gripping slips are moved with respect to the expander means to cause the expander means to first apply endwise force to the packing element to expand the same, and to thereafter move said slips into gripping position, said tubular support having a port therein for establishing communication between the bore of the support and the interior of the cylinder whereby pressure fluid may be directed into the cylinder against the piston to effect relative movement of the piston and cylinder, means releasably connecting said mandrel and said cylinder, :and means adjacent the port for permitting entry of pressure fluid into the cylinder through the port While preventing escape of said fluid from the cylinder through said port.

7. A well packer as set forth in claim 6, wherein the last-named means comprises an annular sealing ring within the cylinder having a lip portion sealing with the outer surface of the support whereby fiow into the cylinder may occur past the lip but flow out the cylinder pastzthe lip functions to move the lip into tight sealing engagement with said support.

8. A well packer apparatus including, a tubular support, a packing element confined against upward movement on the support, expander means on the support and having its upper end engaging the lower end of the packing element, gripping slips cooperable with the ex pander means for anchoring the packer within a well casing, a cylinder and piston assembly including a cylinder surrounding the support and a piston vwithin the cylinder, said piston and cylinder being movable relative to each other, the cylinder and piston being connected one to the gripping slips and the other to the support whereby when the piston and cylinder are moved relative to each other, the gripping slips are moved with respect to the expander means to cause the expander means to first apply endwise force to the packing element to expand the same, and to thereafter move said slips into gripping position, that element of the cylinder and piston assembly which is connected to the support being slidable on the support but being normally detachably connected to the support against slidable movement thereon, said tubular support having a port therein which.

is normally disposed in communication with one end of the cylinder, whereby pressure fluid from the bore of said support may be conducted into the cylinder against the piston to move the piston and cylinder with respect to each other, and flow control means within the cylinder adjacent the port in the conductor permitting flow therepast into the cylinder in one direction and sealing the cylinder against escape of pressure fluid therepast in an 1 opposite direction, detachment of the support from the sealing engagement with said outer surface of the conducelement of the cylinder and piston assembly to which it is detachably secured permitting the support to be moved relative to the cylinder and piston assembly to locate the port in said support on the opposite side of the flow control means whereby pressure fluid may escape from the cylinder through said port.

9. A well packer as set forth in claim 8, wherein the flow control means comprises a seal ring having a sealing lip which is engaged with the outer surface of the support, saidsealing lip being flexed inwardly away from sealing position when subjected to pressure entering the cylinder and being urged into tight sealing engagement when subjected to pressure attempting to escape from the cylinder past said ring.

10. A well apparatus including, a tubular support, expander means carried by the support and restricted against free longitudinal movement relative to the support, gripping slips co-operable with the expander means for anchoring the apparatus within a well casing, a cylinder and piston assembly including a cylinder surrounding the support and a piston within the cylinder, said piston and cylinder being movable relative 'to each other, the cylinder and piston benig-connected one to the gripping slips and the other to the support whereby when the piston and cylinder are moved relative to each other the gripping slips are moved with respect to the expander means to move said slips into gripping position, said tubular support having a port therein for establishing communication between the bore of the support and the interior of the cylinder whereby pressure fluid may be directed into the cylinder against the piston to effect relative movement of the piston and cylinder, means releasably connecting said mandrel and said cylinder, and means within thecylinder adjacent the port for permitting entry of pressure fluid into the cylinder through the port while preventing escape of said fluid from the cylinder through said port. V

11. A well apparatus as set forth in claim 10, wherein the last-named means comprises an annular sealing ring within the cylinder having a lip portion sealing with the outer surface of the support, said lip being so directed that flow into the cylinder may occur past the lip but flow from the cylinder past the lip is prevented by reason of any attempted flow from the cylinder functioning to move the lip into tight sealing engagement with said support.

12. A Well packer including a tubular mandrel, a packing element on said mandrel, expander means carried by the mandrel, normally retracted gripping slips cooperable with the expander means for anchoring the packer in a well casing, a cylinder surrounding the mandrel and detachably coupled thereto, a piston within the cylinder and movable therein by the application of fluid pressure against one end'thereof, means connecting'the piston to the gripping slips to impart movement to'the slips relative to the expander means and radially expand the-same into gripping position when pressure is applied to the piston, means in the mandrel 'fore's'tablishing communication between the bore of the mandrel and 'the'cylinder to permit pressure fluid to be applied to the piston'when the mandrel is coupled to the cylinder, means operable by manipulation of the mandrel for detaching said mandrel from the cylinder whereby the mandrel may undergo longitudinal movement relative to the cylinder, said longitudinal movement of the mandrel with respect to the cylinder locating the communicating establishing means in position to release the pressure fluid from said cylinder whereby the slips may be retracted from gripping position, and means for trapping the pressure fluid within the cylinder after pressure fluid is applied to the piston and before the mandrel is manipulated, said last named means comprising a one way seal ring disposed within the cylinder adjacent the point of entry of said fluid into. the cylinder.

References Cited-in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,275,935 Baker -2 Mar. 10, 1942 2,328,840 OLeary Sept. 7, 1943 2,374,989 Funk May 1, 1945 2,435,899 Page Feb. 10, 1948 2,532,418 Page Dec. 5, 1950 2,642,140 Brown June 16, 1953 2,695,065 Baker et-a1. Nov. 23, 1954 2,735,497 Brumleu et a1 Feb. 21, 1956 

